Dial module and process for manufacturing the same, LED display element, display module, movement module, connector module and meter employing the same

ABSTRACT

The dial module includes: a sheet-shaped dial having a design part on a surface of the dial; a sheet-shaped light source fixed to a back surface of the dial for illuminating the design part; and a flexible printed circuit fixed to a back surface of the light source. The dial module thus constructed enables to reduce the number of components, to facilitate assembly of a meter which employs the dial module therein, to improve the productivity, and to reduce the cost.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Division of application Ser. No. 10/528,448, filedMar. 18, 2005 now abandoned, which application is a 371 ofPCT/JP03/12013, filed Sep. 19, 2003, which application claims priorityof Japanese Application No. 2002-275896, filed Sep. 20, 2002, thecontents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a dial module and process formanufacturing the dial module, LED display element, display module,movement module, connector module and meter employing the same.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Since many electric instruments are arranged around an instrument panelof a motor vehicle, and control circuit units, meters, indicator lumpsand switches for controlling and monitoring these electric instrumentsare concentrated there, therefore the number of electric wires forconstructing an instrument wiring harness increases greatly, its wiringform becomes complicated due to the increasing number of the electricwires and increasing weight thereof, resulting in that the mounting ofthe electric wires and connector-joining work between the harness andthe electric instruments require a great deal of labor and time, makingthe maintenance difficult to do.

In order to solve these problems, the applicant has so far proposedmeasures for simplifying the wiring form of a wiring harness by makingmeters and relevant electric instruments be a meter module around aninstrument panel.

FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective view illustrating an example of aconventional meter for use in a motor vehicle proposed by the applicant.As shown in FIG. 13, the meter for use in a motor vehicle includes afront glass 5, plate 6, dial (i.e., dial plate) 2, casing 12, boardassembly 13, and stepper motor 83 b as a movement. A bracket, lampcasing and housing are incorporated with the casing 12. The dial 2 isprovided with meters such as a speed meter 21, tachometer 22,thermometer 23 and fuel meter 24, and meters consisting of variousindicators such as a warning display 25 on a surface of the dial 2.

The speed meter 21 includes meter design part 21 a consisting of thescale, characters and indices, and a through hole 21 b formed at thecenter for attaching a pointer 83 f on a front surface of the dial 2 byguiding a rotation shaft of the stepper motor 83 b therethrough.Similarly, the tachometer 22 includes a meter design part 22 a andthrough hole 22 b, the thermometer 23 includes a meter design part 23 aand through hole 23 b, and the fuel meter 24 includes a meter designpart 24 a and through hole 24 b.

A translucent paint such as a white paint is printed on each of themeter design parts 21 a, 22 a, 23 a, 24 a and 25 a of the speed meter21, tachometer 22, thermometer 23, fuel meter 24 and warning display 25,respectively. A light-blocking paint such as a black paint is printed ona portion except each design part. Each design part disperses the lightfrom a light source (not shown in the figure) attached to the boardassembly 13 by means of a lamp casing of the casing 12 so as to light upfrom the back.

For example, the meter design part 25 a of the warning display 25 isilluminated by a shell-type light-emitting diode (LED) display element(not shown in the figure) mounted on the board assembly 13 as a lightsource when a warning is given.

On the board assembly 13, there are mounted an IC as a drive element fordriving a LED display element for the warning display 25, IC as a driveelement for driving a LCD (liquid crystal display) as an assistantdisplay element for displaying such as a trip meter, an IC as a driveelement for driving a stepper motor 83 b, and other electronicinstruments for carrying out various functions of meters for a vehicle.

Further, as shown in FIG. 14, the stepper motor 83 b includes an uppercasing 83 b-1 and lower casing 83 b-2 made of synthetic resin or thelike. A pair of engaging holes 83 b-1 a of the upper casing 83 b-1engages with an engaging projection 83 b-2 a formed on an outer wall ofthe lower casing 83 b-2, thereby fixing the upper and lower casings 83b-1, 83 b-2 to each other. A rotation shaft 83 b-3 for attaching aneedle (indication needle) 83 f penetrates through to protrude from anupper surface of the upper casing 83 b-1. A side wall of the uppercasing 83 b-1 is provided with an arm-shaped hook 83 b-1 c in theinverse direction to the rotation shaft 83 b-3.

As for the meter for a vehicle, a bracket, lamp casing and housing areincorporated with the casing 12, and the board assembly 13 is assembledinto a single board, thereby having advantages of easy assembling andsimple structure.

FIGS. 15 and 16 show a perspective view and cross sectional view takenalong B-B line illustrating another example of a conventional meter fora vehicle. As shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, the meter for a vehicleincludes: a display board 101 having a circuit pattern (not shown in thefigure) capable of electric conduction between a front surface 101 a andback surface 101 b; and a display devices such as a speed meter 102,tachometer 105, fuel meter 108 and thermometer 111, each mounted on thefront surface 101 a of the display board 101.

The speed meter 102 includes: a stepper motor 103 as a movement fixed tothe display board 101; and a needle 104 attached to an output shaft 103a of the stepper motor 103 that functions as internal equipment fordriving the needle 104 in response to measured quantity data of a speedof the vehicle.

The tachometer 105 includes a stepper motor 106 and a needle 107attached to an output shaft 106 a of the stepper motor 106 thatfunctions as internal equipment for driving the needle 107 in responseto measured quantity data of number of revolutions of an engine.

The fuel meter 108 includes a stepper motor 109 and a needle 110attached to an output shaft 109 a of the stepper motor 109 thatfunctions as internal equipment for driving the needle 110 in responseto measured quantity data of the amount of fuel.

The thermometer 111 includes a stepper motor 112 and a needle 113attached to an output shaft 112 a of the stepper motor 112 thatfunctions as internal equipment for driving the needle 113 in responseto measured quantity data of temperature in a vehicle.

Between each stepper motor and the corresponding needle, there isarranged a dial, which is provided with a scale and indices such asnumbers, characters and marks on a surface on the dial (not shown in thefigure).

The meter for a vehicle includes: an infrared light-receiving element114 and an IC (Integrated Circuit) 115 for a stepper motor driver andinfrared communication, each of which is mounted on the back surface 101b of the display board 101 and electrically connected to the speed meter102 mounted on the front surface 101 a; an infrared light-receivingelement 116 and an IC (Integrated Circuit) 117 for a stepper motordriver and infrared communication, each of which is electricallyconnected to the tachometer 105 mounted on the front surface 101 a; aninfrared light-receiving element 118 and an IC (Integrated Circuit) 119for a stepper motor driver and infrared communication, each of which iselectrically connected to the fuel meter 108 mounted on the frontsurface 101 a; and an infrared light-receiving element 120 and an IC(Integrated Circuit) 121 for a stepper motor driver and infraredcommunication, each of which is electrically connected to thethermometer 111 mounted on the front surface 101 a.

Further, the meter for a vehicle includes a control module 122 attachedto the back surface 101 b of the display board 101. The control module122 is provided with an IC 124 (including an I/F (interface) circuit IC,microcomputer IC and infrared communication IC) and an infraredlight-emitting element 125 on a board provided with a circuit pattern(not shown in the figure).

The control module 122 is detachably attached to the display board 101with two fittings 123. The fitting 123 has a groove 123 a for fittingthe control module board 122 thereinto at one end thereof and fourclaw-shaped engaging parts 123 b for resiliently engaging withcorresponding engaging holes 101 c of the display board 101 at theopposite end thereof.

Each measured quantity of the vehicle speed, number of revolutions ofthe engine, amount of the fuel and temperature in the vehicle detectedby the respective sensors (not shown in the figure) are inputted intothe control module 122 in a form of, for example, serial data. Then,each measured quantity is processed on the basis of the inputted dataand then, each measured quantity as the quantity data labeled with aspecific identification code is transmitted from the infraredlight-emitting element 125 as an infrared signal.

The infrared signal transmitted from the infrared light-emitting element125 is received by the respective infrared light-receiving elements 114,116, 118 and 120 and supplied to the respective IC 115, 117, 119 and 121for a stepper motor driver and infrared communication. Each of the IC115, 117, 119 and 121 for a stepper motor driver and infraredcommunication selectively supplies the corresponding measured quantitydata of the vehicle speed, number of revolution of the engine, amount ofthe fuel and temperature in the vehicle to the corresponding meters,that is, the speed meter 102, tachometer 105, fuel meter 108 andthermometer 111 according to the corresponding specific identificationcode.

Thus, a control section, which is a basic control part for controllingthe respective meters, each indicating the measured quantity as to astate of the vehicle, is made a module as the control module 122,thereby enabling to be commonly used for any meter. The output from thecontrol module 122 is made to be an infrared communication output. Onthe display board 101, the infrared light-receiving element and thecorresponding IC for a stepper motor driver and infrared communicationare mounted corresponding to each meter.

Each of the IC 115, 117, 119 and 121 for a stepper motor driver andinfrared communication is connected to the corresponding stepper motor103, 106, 109 and 112, each of which constitutes the corresponding meterdevice such as the speed meter 102, tachometer 105, fuel meter 108 andthermometer 111. Therefore, each stepper motor can be operable with theinfrared signal from the control module 122.

Thus, as for the meter for a vehicle shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, astructure of an integrated board is illustrated, on which integratedboard each stepper motor 103, 106, 109 and 112 as the movement and eachIC 115, 117, 119 and 121 for a stepper motor driver and infraredcommunication are mounted.

However, as for the meter for a vehicle shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, sinceeach of the casing 12 and board assembly 13 is molded to have apredetermined shape with resin or the like as a separate part separatedfrom the dial 2, therefore if the arrangement of the meter variesdepending on a type of the vehicle, it is necessary to make separatelythe dial, casing and board assembly by changing their shapes dependingon a type of the vehicle so as to fit to the arrangement of the meter,causing a problem that such a meter for a vehicle cannot be commonlyused for various types of the vehicle. Moreover, since a meter controlcircuit and so on must be designed and manufactured separately dependingon a type of the vehicle, therefore electronic components forconstituting the meter control circuit, which components vary dependingon a type of the vehicle, must be mounted on the board assembly 13. Oncethe board assembly 13 is determined, there is a problem that it isdifficult to change a specification of the meter control circuitafterward.

Further, the integrated board for the meter for a vehicle shown in FIGS.13-16 has restriction for designing due to a limited wiring space.Further, a board having high mounting density must be designedseparately depending on a combination or layout of the respectivemeters, causing a necessity of a large man-hour for designing. Further,when the board is completed, there is a problem that an evaluation ofnoise and so on must be carried out each time.

Further, the integrated board described above needs a mounting space formounting a plurality of drive elements for carrying out the respectivefunctions of the meter for a vehicle. Further, when the integrated boardis designed as a board which can be used in common for a plurality oftypes of vehicle, there is a problem that a useless mounting space for adrive element for an unnecessary function occurs depending on a type ofthe vehicle.

It is certainly possible to mount a microcomputer having a CPU forcarrying out the functions of a plurality of drive elements on theintegrated board. However, in such a case, depending on a type of thevehicle, there is a problem that a driver element, which is not used,exists in the CPU.

It is therefore an objective of the present invention to solve the aboveproblems and to provide a dial module, process for manufacturing thedial module, and a meter employing the dial module, which dial moduleenables further modularity (further module structure) and common use fora plurality types of vehicle.

It is another objective of the present invention to solve the aboveproblems and to provide a LED display element having a novelconstitution suitable for use of the dial module and a meter employingthe LED display element.

It is a further objective of the present invention to solve the aboveproblems and to provide a display module and a meter employing thedisplay module, which display module enables further modularity andcommon use for a plurality types of vehicle.

It is a further objective of the present invention to solve the aboveproblems and to provide a movement module and a meter employing themovement module, which movement module enables further modularity andcommon use for a plurality types of vehicle.

It is a further objective of the present invention to solve the aboveproblems and to provide a connector module and a meter employing theconnector module, which connector module enables further modularity andcommon use for a plurality types of vehicle.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

In order to attain the above objective, a dial module defined in claim 1is a dial module including a sheet-shaped dial having a design part on afront surface of the dial; a sheet-shaped light source fixed to a backsurface of the dial for illuminating the design part; and a flexibleprinted circuit fixed to a back surface of the light source.

In order to attain the above objective, a dial module defined in claim 2is, in the invention defined in claim 1, characterized in that the dial,light source and flexible printed circuit are formed in substantiallythe same shape.

In order to attain the above objective, a dial module defined in claim 3is a dial module including a dial having a design part; a sheet-shapedlight source for illuminating the design part; and a flexible printedcircuit fixed to a back surface of the light source, wherein the dial isformed on a front surface of the light source.

In order to attain the above objective, a dial module defined in claim 4is, in the invention defined in claim 3, characterized in that the lightsource and flexible printed circuit are formed in substantially the sameshape.

In order to attain the above objective, a dial module defined in claim 5is a dial module including a sheet-shaped dial having a design part on afront surface of the dial; and a sheet-shaped light source fixed to aback surface of the dial for illuminating the design part, wherein thelight source is provided with a flexible printed circuit on a backsurface of the light source.

In order to attain the above objective, a dial module defined in claim 6is, in the invention defined in claim 5, characterized in that the dialand light source are formed in substantially the same shape.

In order to attain the above objective, a dial module defined in claim 7is a dial module including a sheet-shaped light source, wherein a dialhaving a design part is formed on a front surface of the light sourcewhile a flexible printed circuit is formed on a back surface of thelight source.

In order to attain the above objective, a dial module defined in claim 8is, in the invention defined in any one of claims 1-7, characterized inthat it further includes a connecting terminal part for attaching anadditional component thereto.

In order to attain the above objective, a dial module defined in claim 9is, in the invention defined in any one of claims 1-8, characterized inthat the light source is a sheet-shaped electroluminescent light source.

In order to attain the above objective, a process for manufacturing adial module defined in claim 10 is a process for manufacturing a dialmodule including: a first step in which a flexible printed circuit isput and sealed on a back surface of a sheet-shaped light source with anadhesive; and a second step in which a dial having a design part isprinted on a front surface of the light source.

In order to attain the above objective, a process for manufacturing adial module defined in claim 11 is, in the invention defined in claim10, characterized in that the light source is formed by providing atransparent electrically conductive film with a luminous layer,insulating layer and back surface electrode, and the flexible printedcircuit is formed by providing a copper foil film with a circuit withetching followed by an insulation processing.

In order to attain the above objective, a process for manufacturing adial module defined in claim 12 is a process for manufacturing a dialmodule including a first step in which a circuit is formed on a backsurface of a sheet-shaped light source by printing an electricallyconductive material on the back surface; and a second step in which adial having a design part is printed on a front surface of the lightsource.

In order to attain the above objective, a process for manufacturing adial module defined in claim 13 is, in the invention defined in claim12, characterized in that it further includes a third step in which aninsulation processing is applied on a part where the circuit is formed.

In order to attain the above objective, a process for manufacturing adial module defined in claim 14 is, in the invention defined in any oneof claims 10-13, characterized in that the light source is asheet-shaped electroluminescent light source.

In order to attain the above objective, a meter defined in claim 15 is ameter including the dial module as claimed in any one of claims 1-9; aframe board arranged in front of the dial of the dial module; a frontglass arranged in front of the frame board; and a casing arranged in therear of the dial module for fixing the dial module between the frameboard and the casing.

In order to attain the above objective, a light-emitting diode (LED)display element defined in claim 16 is a light-emitting diode displayelement for supplying electric power to a light-emitting element,including a lead terminal for fixing the light-emitting element to anopposite attaching member situated in the same direction as that ofemission from the light-emitting element.

In order to attain the above objective, a light-emitting diode displayelement defined in claim 17 is a light-emitting diode display elementincluding a light-emitting element; an optically transparent member forsealing the light-emitting element, the optically transparent memberincluding a reflecting surface on the side of emission of thelight-emitting element and an emitting surface in the rear of thelight-emitting element; a reflecting mirror provided on the reflectingsurface, for reflecting the emission from the light-emitting element andguiding out the emission from the emitting surface; and a lead terminalconnected to the light-emitting element, the lead terminal protrudingfrom a side of the optically transparent member and including an endsubstantially flush with the emitting surface.

In order to attain the above objective, a meter defined in claim 18 is ameter including: the dial module as claimed in any one of claims 1-9; Afirst opening formed on a part of the sheet-shaped light source of thedial module; a second opening formed on a part of the flexible printedcircuit of the dial module so as to be lined up with the first opening;the light-emitting diode display element according to claim 16 or 17, inwhich the lead terminal is connected to the flexible printed circuit andthe emission from the light-emitting element is guided to the secondopening; a design formed on the sheet-shaped dial and illuminated withthe emission from the light-emitting element through the first andsecond openings; a frame board arranged in front of the dial of the dialmodule; a front glass arranged in front of the frame board; and a casingarranged in the rear of the dial module for fixing the dial modulebetween the frame board and the casing.

In order to attain the above objective, a display module defined inclaim 19 is a display module including: a printed board; a displayelement mounted on the printed board; a driver element mounted on theprinted board for driving the display element; and a connecting terminalformed on the printed board.

In order to attain the above objective, a display module defined inclaim 20 is, in the invention defined in claim 19, characterized in thatthe display element is a liquid crystal display element.

In order to attain the above objective, a meter defined in claim 21 is ameter including: the dial module as claimed in any one of claims 1-9; afirst notch formed on a part of the sheet-shaped dial of the dialmodule; a second notch formed on a part of the sheet-shaped light sourceof the dial module so as to be lined up with the first notch; a displaywindow formed on a part of the flexible printed circuit of the dialmodule so as to be situated in the rear of the first and second notches;the display module according to claim 19 or 20 mounted on the flexibleprinted circuit so as to be situated at the display window; a frameboard arranged in front of the dial of the dial module; a front glassarranged in front of the frame board; and a casing arranged in the rearof the dial module for fixing the dial module between the frame boardand the casing.

In order to attain the above objective, a movement module defined inclaim 22 is a movement module including: a printed board; a steppermotor mounted on the printed board; a driver element mounted on theprinted board for driving the stepper motor; and a connecting terminalformed on the printed board.

In order to attain the above objective, a meter defined in claim 23 is ameter including: the dial module as claimed in any one of claims 1-9;the movement module according to claim 22 mounted on the flexibleprinted circuit of the dial module so as to be situated at the displaywindow; a frame board arranged in front of the dial of the dial module;a front glass arranged in front of the frame board; and a casingarranged in the rear of the dial module for fixing the dial modulebetween the frame board and the casing.

In order to attain the above objective, a connector module defined inclaim 24 is a connector module including: a housing including first andsecond tube parts; a first connecting terminal penetrating through abottom of the first tube part for connecting to an outside connectorinside the first tube part, the first connecting terminal being mountedso that a part of the first connecting terminal is situated inside thefirst tube part while another part of the first connecting terminal isexposed to the outside of the first tube part; a second connectingterminal penetrating through a bottom of the second tube part, thesecond connecting terminal being mounted so that a part of the secondconnecting terminal is situated inside the second tube part whileanother part of the second connecting terminal is exposed to the outsideof the second tube part; and a circuit board received in the second tubepart, the circuit board being detachably connected to the secondconnecting terminal.

In order to attain the above objective, a connector module defined inclaim 25 is, in the invention defined in claim 24, characterized in thatthe part of the second connecting terminal, which part is situatedinside the second tube part, is a resilient contact.

In order to attain the above objective, a connector module defined inclaim 26 is, in the invention defined in claim 24 or 25, characterizedin that it further includes a cover for closing an opening of the secondtube part.

In order to attain the above objective, a meter defined in claim 27 is ameter including: the dial module as claimed in any one of claims 1-9;the connector module as claimed in any one of claims 24-26, in whicheach of the other parts of the first and second connecting terminalsexposed to the outside of the tube part is connected to the flexibleprinted circuit of the dial module; a frame board arranged in front ofthe dial of the dial module; a front glass arranged in front of theframe board; and a casing arranged in the rear of the dial module forfixing the dial module between the frame board and the casing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is an exploded perspective view illustrating a preferredembodiment of a dial module according to the present invention.

FIG. 1B is a perspective view illustrating a preferred embodiment of anassembled dial module according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a meter for avehicle, which employs a dial module according to the present invention.

FIG. 3A is a perspective view illustrating a LED display elementemployed in the meter shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 3B is a cross sectional view illustrating a LED display elementemployed in the meter shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a partial cross sectional view illustrating a part of awarning display in which the LED display element shown in FIG. 3 isemployed.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating a display module employed inthe meter shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating a movement module employed inthe meter shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating another example of a movementmodule.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating a further example of amovement module.

FIG. 9A is an exploded perspective view illustrating a connector moduleemployed in the meter shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 9B is a cross sectional view illustrating a connector moduleemployed in the meter shown in FIG. 2.

FIGS. 10A-10I illustrate each step of a process for manufacturing a dialmodule according to another preferred embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 11 is a view illustrating an action of a dial module according toanother preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 12A-12D illustrate each step of a process for manufacturing a dialmodule according to a further preferred embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective view illustrating an example of aconventional meter for a vehicle.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a stepper motor used in the meter for avehicle shown in FIG. 13.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view illustrating another example of aconventional meter for a vehicle.

FIG. 16 is a cross sectional view taken along B-B line of the meter fora vehicle shown in FIG. 15.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

In the following, the present invention will be explained with referenceto the attached drawings.

FIG. 1A is an exploded perspective view illustrating a preferredembodiment of a dial module according to the present invention. FIG. 1Bis a perspective view illustrating a preferred embodiment of anassembled dial module according to the present invention. As shown inFIG. 1A, the dial module (i.e., dial plate module) 1 includes asheet-shaped dial (i.e., dial plate) 2, electroluminescence light source(hereinafter, EL light source) 3 as a sheet-shaped light source and aflexible printed circuit (hereinafter, FPC) 4.

The dial 2 consisting of, for example, sheet-shaped translucentmaterial, is a sheet-shaped dial, in which a surface of a sheet isprovided with meters such as a speed meter 21, tachometer 22,thermometer 23 and fuel meter 24 and various indicators such as awarning display 25. As shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, for example, in thedial 2, a speed meter 21 is arranged at the center, a circular meterincluding a thermometer 23 and a fuel meter 24 is connected to one sideof the speed meter 21 while another circular meter including atachometer 22 and a warning display 25 is connected to the opposite sideof the speed meter 21.

The speed meter 21 includes: a meter design part 21 a consisting of ascale, characters and indices; a through hole 21 b formed at the centerfor guiding a rotation shaft of a stepper motor (explained later on)therethrough; and a notch 21 c as a first notch formed at the lower partof the speed meter 21. Similarly, the tachometer 22 includes a meterdesign part 22 a and a through hole 22 b, the thermometer 23 includes ameter design part 23 a and a through hole 23 b, and the fuel meter 24includes a meter design part 24 a and a through hole 24 b.

A translucent paint such as a white paint is printed on each of themeter design parts 21 a, 22 a, 23 a, 24 a and 25 a of the speed meter21, tachometer 22, thermometer 23, fuel meter 24 and warning display 25,respectively. A light-blocking paint such as a black paint is printed ona portion except each design part.

The EL light source 3 is a sheet-shaped light source formedsubstantially in the same shape as that of the dial 2. In the EL lightsource 3, a part 31 corresponding to the speed meter 21, part 32corresponding to the tachometer 22 and part 33 corresponding to thethermometer 23 and fuel meter 24 are integrally formed with one anotherin a linked shape. The part 31 includes a through hole 31 a formed atthe center for guiding a rotation shaft of a stepper motor therethroughand a notch 31 a as a second notch formed so as to be lined up with thenotch 21 c at the lower part of the part 31. Similarly, the part 32includes a through hole 32 a while the part 33 includes through holes 33a and 33 b.

Like EL light source 3, the FPC 4 is formed substantially in the sameshape as that of the dial 2. In the FPC 4, a part 41 corresponding tothe speed meter 21, part 42 corresponding to the tachometer 22 and part43 corresponding to the thermometer 23 and fuel meter 24 are integrallyformed with one another in a linked shape. The part 41 includes athrough hole 41 a formed at the center for guiding a rotation shaft of astepper motor therethrough and a display window 41 b formed by beingnotched at the lower part of the part 41. The display window 41 b isformed so as to be situated in the rear of the notches 21 c and 31 a.Similarly, the part 42 includes a through hole 42 a while the part 43includes through holes 43 a and 43 b.

Further, in the rear of the FPC 4, though they are not shown in thefigure, the FPC 4 includes a circuit for carrying out the function ofthe meters on the dial 2, a circuit for supplying electric power to theEL light source 3, and connecting terminals for connecting electroniccomponents (explained alter on) for carrying out the function of themeters on the dial 2. Further, the FPC 4 includes a connecting terminal44 for attaching an optional meter, which terminal is formed beingextended to the upper part of the part 42.

The EL light source 3 is fixed on the back surface of the dial 2 byfixing means such as an adhesive, while the FPC 4 is fixed on the backsurface of the EL light source 3 by fixing means such as an adhesive,thereby the dial 2, EL light source 3 and FPC 4 are integrated and thedial module 1 is completed as shown in FIG. 1B. In the completed dialmodule 1, the EL light source 3 receives electric power from the circuitof the FPC 4 and illuminates each design part of the dial 2 from therear.

Thus, in the dial module 1, the dial 2, the EL light source 3 forilluminating each design part of the dial 2, and the FPC 4 having thecircuits and connecting terminal for carrying out the function of themeters on the dial 2 and the electric power supply to the EL lightsource 3 are integrated with one another, so that the dial module 1 isformed in a flexible sheet as a whole. Therefore, the number ofcomponents can be reduced so that the assembling work of the meteremploying such a dial module can be facilitated, thereby enabling theimprovement in productivity and reduce in cost. Since the dial module 1has a flexible sheet-shaped form, it can be applied not only when all ofa plurality of meters constructed by the dial 2 has a flat design butalso even when a part of a plurality of meters constructed by the dial 2has a design including some unevenness, thereby improving in the design.

In the following, a meter employing the dial module of the presentinvention will be explained with reference to FIGS. 2-6.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a meter for avehicle, which employs the dial module according to the presentinvention. As shown in FIG. 2, the meter includes a front glass 5, frameboard 6, the dial module 1 of the present invention, and casing 7.

On a surface of the FPC 4 situated on the rear side of the dial module1, there are formed the EL light source 3 and a plurality of connectingterminals (not seen in FIG. 2 because of their positions) for connectingelectronic components 8 for carrying out the function of the meters onthe dial 2, wherein the EL light source 3 and the electronic components8 such as a light-emitting diode (i.e., LED) display element 81, displaymodule 82, movement module 83 and connector module 84 are attached tothe respective connecting terminals by fixing means such as solder orelectrically conductive paste.

As shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the LED display element 81 includes alight-emitting element 81 a, gold wire 81 b, a lead terminal 81 cconnected to the light-emitting element 81 a by the gold wire 81 b forsupplying electric power to the light-emitting element 81 a, and anepoxy resin 81 d as a translucent member which is hardened after thelight-emitting element 81 a is encapsulated therein. The epoxy resin 81d is shaped so that a face facing an attaching direction by the leadterminal 81 c becomes a flat emitting surface 81 d 2 while a faceopposite to the attaching direction becomes a curved reflecting surface81 d 1, which is subjected to a mirror surface processing by plating orvapor deposition with metallic material such as silver or aluminum so asto form a reflecting mirror.

The lead terminal 81 c protrudes from the side of the epoxy resin 81 dand is bent toward the emitting surface 81 d 2. Further, an end 81 c 1of the lead terminal 81 c is bent so as to be flush with the emittingsurface 81 d 2. The end 81 c 1 is fixed to a connecting terminal as anopposite attaching member of the FPC 4 by fixing means such as solder orelectrically conductive paste. When the end 81 c 1 is attached to theFPC 4, since the end 81 c 1 of the lead terminal 81 c of the LED displayelement 81 is flush with the emitting surface 81 d 2, therefore a spacefor attaching (i.e., a space for mounting) can be reduced minimizing thespace to be the thickness of the end 81 c 1 itself.

The LED display element 81 constructed as described above is areflection-type LED display element. As shown by arrows in FIG. 3B, theemission from the light-emitting element 81 a is reflected by thereflecting surface 81 d 1, emitted from the emitting surface 81 d 2, andforwarded as a parallel ray in the attaching direction to the FPC 4.

FIG. 4 is a partial cross sectional view illustrating a part of thewarning display 25, in which the LED display element 81 is employed. Asshown in FIG. 4, in the tachometer 22 of the dial 2, the EL light source3, situated in the rear of a part where the warning display design part25 a is formed in the warning display 25, is provided with an opening 3a as the first opening. The warning display design part 25 a issubjected to clear coating. The FPC 4 is provided with an opening 4 b asthe second opening, which is lined up with the opening 3 a. The LEDdisplay element 81 is arranged in the rear of the openings 3 a and 4 b.A lead terminal of the LED display element 81 is attached to a copperfoil 4 a as the connecting terminal of the FPC 4 by fixing means such assolder or electrically conductive paste. The emission from the LEDdisplay element 81 illuminates the warning display design part 25 athrough the openings 4 b and 3 a, thereby providing a warning to adriver of a vehicle.

As shown in FIG. 5, display module 82 includes a printed board 82 a,liquid crystal display (LCD) element 82 b as the display element mountedon the printed board 82 a, driver element 82 c consisting of IC or thelike for driving the LCD element 82 b, and connection terminal 82 dformed on the printed board 82 a. The LCD element 82 b and driverelement 82 c are connected to each other by a circuit (not shown in thefigure) formed on the printed board 82 a and also are connected to theconnection terminal 82 d. The connecting terminal 82 d of the displaymodule 82 is attached to the corresponding connecting terminal of theFPC 4 by fixing means such as solder or electrically conductive paste sothat the LCD element 82 b is situated at the display window 41 b formedon the FPC 4.

Thus, since the driver element 82 c for driving the LCD element 82 b ismounted on the side of the display module 82, therefore the number ofcomponents can be reduced. Further, since a space for mounting thedriver element 82 c becomes unnecessary at the side of the FPC 4,therefore the wiring becomes easy.

As shown in FIG. 6, each movement module 83 includes a printed board 83a, stepper motor 83 b as the movement mounted on one surface of theprinted board 83 a, driver element 83 c for driving the stepper motor 83b and LED element 83 d, both mounted on the opposite surface of theprinted board 83 a, and connecting terminal 83 e formed at an end of theprinted board 83 a. A rotation shaft 83 b 1 of the stepper motor 83 bprotrudes from the opposite side of the printed board 83 a. Theconnecting terminal 83 e is attached to a corresponding connectingterminal of the FPC 4 by fixing means such as solder. When each movementmodule 83 is fixed to the FPC 4, each rotation shaft 83 b 1 penetratesthrough the corresponding through holes 41 a, 31 b and 21 b, throughholes 42 a, 32 a and 22 b, through holes 43 a, 33 a and 23 b or throughholes 43 b, 33 b and 24 b of the dial module 1 and then, each needle 83f arranged on the front surface-side of the dial module 1 is attached tothe corresponding rotation shaft 83 b 1.

Thus, since the driver element 83 c for driving the stepper motor 83 bis mounted on the side of the movement module 83, therefore the numberof components can be reduced. Further, since a space for mounting thedriver element 83 c becomes unnecessary at the side of the FPC 4,therefore the wiring becomes easy.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating another example of themovement module 83. As shown in FIG. 7, a positioning pin 83 b-5 of thestepper motor 83 b is inserted into a positioning hole 83 a 2 formed inthe printed board 83 a while a fixing claw 83 b-4 of the stepper motor83 b engages with an edge of an attaching hole 83 a 1 of the printedboard 83 a, thereby the stepper motor 83 b is fixed to the printed board83 a. A connecting terminal 83 e formed at an end of the printed board83 a is extended toward the opposite side of the rotation shaft 83 b 1and guided by a terminal guide 83 f as a separate member. In thisexample, the movement module 83 can be fixed to an opposite attachingmember (not shown in the figure) situated on the opposite side of therotation shaft 83 b 1 with a hook 83 b-1 c while the connecting terminal83 e can be connected to a corresponding connecting terminal (not shownin the figure) on the side of the opposite attaching member.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating a further example of themovement module 83. As shown in FIG. 8, the stepper motor 83 b isconstructed so that its rotation shaft 83 b 1 extends in the samedirection as that of the hook 83 b-1 c. Further, a terminal guide 83 a 3is integrally formed extending from an end of the printed board 83 a.The connecting terminal 83 e penetrates through the terminal guide 83 a3 and is exposed to the same side as that of the rotation shaft 83 b 1.A positioning pin 83 b-5 of the stepper motor 83 b is inserted into apositioning hole 83 a 2 formed in the printed board 83 a while a fixingclaw 83 b-4 of the stepper motor 83 b engages with an edge of anattaching hole 83 a 1 of the printed board 83 a, thereby the steppermotor 83 b is fixed to the printed board 83 a. In this example, themovement module 83 can be fixed to an opposite attaching member (notshown in the figure) situated on the same side as that of the rotationshaft 83 b 1 with a hook 83 b-1 c while the connecting terminal 83 e canbe connected to a corresponding connecting terminal (not shown in thefigure) on the side of the opposite attaching member.

As shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B, the connector module 84 includes: a housing84 a having a tube part 84 b as the first tube part and a tube part 84 cas the second tube part; a cover 84 f for closing an opening of the tubepart 84 c; a connecting terminal 84 d as the first connecting terminal;and a connecting terminal 84 e as the second connecting terminal. Theconnecting terminal 84 d is attached so that the connecting terminal 84d penetrates through the bottom of the tube part 84 b and a part thereofis situated in the tube part 84 b while another part is exposed to theoutside of the tube part 84 b. The connecting terminal 84 e is attachedso that the connecting terminal 84 e penetrates through the bottom ofthe tube part 84 c and a part thereof is situated in the tube part 84 cwhile another part is exposed to the outside of the tube part 84 c. Thepart of the connecting terminal 84 e situated in the tube part 84 c is aresilient contact part. Each of the other parts of the connectingterminals 84 d and 84 e exposed to the outside of the housing 84 a isattached to the corresponding connecting terminal of the FPC 4 by fixingmeans such as solder or the like. After the connector module 84 ismounted to the FPC 4, a wiring harness connector 84 g as an externalconnector is connected to the connecting terminals 84 d, while a controlcircuit board 84 h replaceable depending on a type of a vehicle isdetachably connected to the resilient contact part of the connectingterminal 84 e in a slot-in manner. The control circuit board 84 h is acircuit board on which electronic components for constructing a metercontrol circuit that is varied depending on a type of a vehicle aremounted.

Thus, since the control circuit board 84 h is mounted on the side of theconnector module 84, therefore the number of components can be reduced.Even when the design of the meter is changed depending on a type of avehicle, one can respond to it only by replacing the control circuitboard 84 h, that is, one can use the connector module usable in commonfor every type of a vehicle not being affected by a shape of the meter.Further, even when the shape of the connector is different, a commonproduct can be used if the shape of the tube part 84 c is matched.Furthermore, when the specification of the meter control circuit ischanged, this change is easily carried out only by replacing the controlcircuit board 84 h with that of a different specification. For example,when the specification of an engine is changed, when the specificationof a tire is changed, and when the capacity of a gasoline tank ischanged, the specification can be easily changed only by replacing thecontrol circuit board 84 h.

In addition, as for the FPC 4, a space for mounting the electroniccomponents corresponding to the control circuit board 84 h becomesunnecessary, therefore the wiring becomes simple since it can be carriedout only by mounting the electronic components common to every type of avehicle. Since there is the resilient contact part of the connectingterminal 84 e to be connected to the control circuit board 84 h, it iseasy to attach or detach the control circuit board 84 h. Since theopening of the tube part 84 c is closed by the cover 84 f, the controlcircuit board 84 h is prevented from coming off and from being affectedby dust.

The casing 7 includes recesses 7 a matching with the shape of the dialmodule 1 and recesses 7 b matching with the unevenness of the electroniccomponents 8 to be mounted on the FPC 4. The casing 7 fixes the dialmodule 1, in which the electronic components 8 are mounted on the FPC 4,between the frame board 6 and the casing 7.

As for the meter constructed as described above, since the dial module 1is employed therein, the number of components can be reduced so that theassembling work of the meter can be facilitated, thereby enabling theimprovement in productivity and reduce in cost. Further, it enables tominimize the restriction for designing, to reduce the man-hour fordesigning a board, and to reduce the number of evaluation as to noise orthe like.

Since the dial module 1 is provided with the connection terminal 44 forattaching an additional component thereto, such a connection terminal 44can be used when the additional circuit is necessary or when an optionalmeter such as an accelerometer or the like is connected theretodepending on a type of a vehicle. For example, when an optional meter isconnected thereto, such an optional meter can be attached thereto byinserting a connector (not shown in the figure) of the optional meterfrom a direction parallel to the plane of the dial 2. At that time,since the insertion direction is not perpendicular to the plane of thedial 2 but parallel to the plane, the sheet-shaped dial module 1 isprevented from being applied by an extra load and therefore preventedfrom being broken, and a space for mounting an additional component canbe reduced.

The aforementioned preferred embodiments are described to aid inunderstanding the present invention and variations may be made by oneskilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of thepresent invention.

For example, in the preferred embodiment described above, the dialmodule 1 is constructed by forming the dial 2, EL light source 3 and FPC4, which are originally separate from one another, integrally with oneanother by fixing means such as an adhesive or the like. However,instead, as another preferred embodiment, the dial module may beconstructed in such a manner that a front surface of the sheet-shaped ELlight source 3 is provided with a dial having a meter design part byprinting or the like and the FPC 4 is fixed to a back surface of the ELlight source 3 by fixing means such as an adhesive or the like. In sucha case, the FPC 4 and EL light source 3 can be formed in substantiallythe same shape.

In the following, a process for manufacturing the dial module accordingto the other preferred embodiment as described above will be explained.In short, in this process, first the EL light source 3 is made andafterward, the FPC 4 is made separately. Then, the FPC 4 is affixed andsealed on a back surface of the EL light source 3 with an adhesive.Then, the dial 2 is printed on a front surface of the EL light source 3,thereby completing the manufacture of the dial module 1.

In the following, the process described above will be explained indetail with reference to FIG. 10.

First, the EL light source 3 is made as follows:

(A) A transparent electrically conductive film, in which a transparentelectrode 302 is formed on a transparent base film 301, is prepared.

(B) Then, a fluorescent agent is printed on the transparent electrode302 so as to form a fluorescent layer 303 there.

(C) Then, an electrically insulating layer 304 is formed on thelight-emitting layer 303 by printing.

(D) Then, a back surface electrode 305 is formed on the electricallyinsulating layer 304 by printing, thereby the EL light source 3 is made.

Then, the FPC 4 is made separately as follows:

(E) A copper foil film, in which a copper foil 402 is placed on a basefilm 401, is prepared.

(F) Then, the copper foil 402 is subjected to etching so as to make acircuit.

(G) Then, an electrically insulating layer 403 is formed on the circuitby printing.

Then, the EL light source 3 and the FPC 4 made separately are employedso as to complete the manufacture of the dial module 1 as follows:

(H) The FPC 4 is affixed and sealed on a back surface of the EL lightsource 3 with an adhesive.

(I) Then, a dial 2 is printed on a front surface of the EL light source3, thereby completing the manufacture of the dial module 1.

As shown in FIG. 11, as for the dial module 1 thus manufactured, analternating voltage is applied from an alternating-current source tobetween the transparent electrode 302 and the back surface electrode305, thereby the light-emitting layer 303 emits the light so that thedial 2 formed on the front surface-side can be illuminated from the backsurface-side.

Thus, as for the dial module 1 according to the other preferredembodiment as described above, the EL light source 3 on which the dial 2is applied and the FPC 4 are formed in one piece, thereby the module 1is constructed as a flexible sheet as a whole. Therefore, the number ofcomponents can be reduced so that the assembling work of the meteremploying such a dial module can be facilitated, thereby enabling theimprovement in productivity and reduce in cost.

As a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, the dialmodule may be constructed in such a manner that a dial having meterdesign parts is formed on a front surface of a sheet-shaped EL lightsource 3 by printing and a FPC 4 is formed on a back surface of the ELlight source 3 by printing.

In the following, a process for manufacturing the dial module accordingto the further preferred embodiment described above will be explainedwith reference to FIG. 12.

(A) First, a sheet-shaped EL light source 3 consisting of a transparentbase film 301, transparent electrode 302, light-emitting layer 303,electrically insulating layer 304, back surface electrode 305 andprotection layer 306 is prepared.

(B) Then, an electrically conductive material 404 is printed on theprotection layer 306 formed on a back surface of the EL light source 3so as to form a circuit.

(C) Then, according to a need, an electrically insulating layer 405 isformed on the circuit consisting of the electrically conductive material404 by printing. Thereby, the back surface-side of the sheet-shaped ELlight source 3 has the same function as that of the FPC 4 with the aidof the circuit consisting of the electrically conductive material 404.

(D) Then, a dial 2 is formed on the base film 301 situated on a frontsurface of the EL light source 3 by printing, thereby completing themanufacture of the dial module 1.

As for the dial module 1 thus manufactured, an alternating voltage isapplied to between the transparent electrode 302 and the back surfaceelectrode 305, thereby the light-emitting layer 303 emits the light sothat the dial 2 formed on the front surface-side can be illuminated fromthe back surface-side.

Thus, as for the dial module 1 according to the further preferredembodiment as described above, the dial 2 is formed on the surface-sideand the FPC 4 is formed on the back surface-side, thereby the module 1is constructed as a flexible sheet as a whole. Therefore, the number ofcomponents can be further reduced so that the assembling work of themeter employing such a dial module can be facilitated, thereby enablingthe improvement in productivity and reduce in cost.

Furthermore, as a further preferred embodiment of the present invention,the dial module may be constructed in such a manner that a sheet-shapedEL light source 3 having a FPC 4 on the back surface thereof is fixed toa back surface of a sheet-shaped dial 2 having meter design parts on asurface thereof by fixing means such as an adhesive so that the emissionfrom the EL light source 3 illuminates the meter design parts of thedial 2. In this case, the dial 2 and the EL light source 3 can be formedin substantially the same shape.

Thus, as for the dial module 1 according to the further preferredembodiment as described above, the sheet-shaped dial 2 and thesheet-shaped EL light source 3 having the FPC 4 on the back surfacethereof are formed in one piece, thereby the module 1 is constructed asa flexible sheet as a whole. Therefore, the number of components can bereduced so that the assembling work of the meter employing such a dialmodule can be facilitated, thereby enabling the improvement inproductivity and reduce in cost and enabling to meet with the demand ofa plurality of types of vehicle in common.

As for the EL light source 3 in the present invention, either of organicand inorganic EL light sources can be employed.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

With the invention defined in claim 1, the number of components can bereduced so that the assembling work of the meter employing such a dialmodule can be facilitated, thereby enabling the improvement inproductivity and reduce in cost. Since the dial module has a flexiblesheet-shaped form, it can be applied not only when all of a plurality ofmeters constructed by the dial has a flat design but also even when apart of a plurality of meters constructed by the dial has a designincluding some unevenness, thereby improving in the design and enablingto meet with the demand of a plurality of types of vehicle in common.

With the invention defined in claim 2, the manufacturing can be easy.

With the invention defined in claim 3, the number of components can befurther reduced so that the assembling work of the meter employing sucha dial module can be facilitated, thereby enabling the improvement inproductivity and reduce in cost. It is possible to meet with the demandof a plurality of types of vehicle in common.

With the invention defined in claim 4, the manufacturing can be easy.

With the invention defined in claim 5, the number of components can befurther reduced so that the assembling work of the meter employing sucha dial module can be facilitated, thereby enabling the improvement inproductivity and reduce in cost. It is possible to meet with the demandof a plurality of types of vehicle in common.

With the invention defined in claim 6, the manufacturing can be easy.

With the invention defined in claim 7, the number of components can befurther reduced so that the assembling work of the meter employing sucha dial module can be facilitated, thereby enabling the improvement inproductivity and reduce in cost. It is possible to meet with the demandof a plurality of types of vehicle in common.

With the invention defined in claim 8, it is possible to meet with acase when an additional circuit is needed depending on a type of avehicle or a case when an optional meter such as accelerometer or thelike is connected thereto.

With the invention defined in claim 9, the dial module can be realizedby employing a sheet-shaped electroluminescent light source as thesheet-shaped light source.

With the invention defined in claim 10, it is possible to easilymanufacture the dial module, with which the sheet-shaped light sourcehaving the dial and the flexible printed circuit for carrying out thefunction of the dial are integrally formed.

With the invention defined in claim 11, it is possible to manufacturethe sheet-shaped light source and the flexible printed circuit, whichare the components of the dial module.

With the invention defined in claim 12, it is possible to easilymanufacture the dial module including the dial and the sheet-shapedlight source having the function of the flexible printed circuit forcarrying out the function of the dial.

With the invention defined in claim 13, it is possible to easilymanufacture the dial module, in which an insulation processing isapplied on a part where the circuit is formed as the need arises.

With the invention defined in claim 14, the dial module can be realizedby employing a sheet-shaped electroluminescent light source as thesheet-shaped light source.

With the invention defined in claim 15, the number of components can bereduced so that the assembling work of the meter can be facilitated,thereby enabling the improvement in productivity and reduce in cost. Itis possible to meet with the demand of a plurality of types of vehiclein common.

With the invention defined in claim 16, a space for attaching thelight-emitting diode can be reduced.

With the invention defined in claim 17, a space for attaching thelight-emitting diode can be reduced since the space can be set to beonly its thickness due to the construction of the reflection-typelight-emitting diode.

With the invention defined in claim 18, the number of components can bereduced so that the assembling work of the meter can be facilitated,thereby enabling the improvement in productivity and reduce in cost. Itis possible to meet with the demand of a plurality of types of vehiclein common.

With the invention defined in claim 19, the number of components can bereduced so that the assembling work of the meter employing such adisplay module can be facilitated, thereby enabling the improvement inproductivity and reduce in cost. It is possible to meet with the demandof a plurality of types of vehicle in common.

With the invention defined in claim 20, the display module can berealized by employing a liquid crystal display.

With the invention defined in claim 21, the number of components can bereduced so that the assembling work of the meter can be facilitated,thereby enabling the improvement in productivity and reduce in cost. Itis possible to meet with the demand of a plurality of types of vehiclein common.

With the invention defined in claim 22, the number of components can bereduced so that the assembling work of the meter employing such amovement module can be facilitated, thereby enabling the improvement inproductivity and reduce in cost. It is possible to meet with the demandof a plurality of types of vehicle in common.

With the invention defined in claim 23, the number of components can bereduced so that the assembling work of the meter can be facilitated,thereby enabling the improvement in productivity and reduce in cost. Itis possible to meet with the demand of a plurality of types of vehiclein common.

With the invention defined in claim 24, the number of components can bereduced so that the assembling work of the meter employing such amovement module can be facilitated, thereby enabling the improvement inproductivity and reduce in cost. It is possible to meet with the demandof a plurality of types of vehicle in common. Further, it is possible tomeet easily a change in the specification.

With the invention defined in claim 25, it is easy to attach or detachthe circuit board.

With the invention defined in claim 26, it is possible to prevent thecircuit board from coming off and to prevent dust from enteringthereinto.

With the invention defined in claim 27, the number of components can bereduced so that the assembling work of the meter can be facilitated,thereby enabling the improvement in productivity and reduce in cost. Itis possible to meet with the demand of a plurality of types of vehiclein common.

1. A connector module comprising: an outside wiring harness connector; acircuit board; a housing including a first tube part configured forreceiving the outside wiring harness connector and a second tube partconfigured for receiving the circuit board; a first connecting terminalpenetrating through a bottom of the first tube part, the firstconnecting terminal being mounted so that a part of the first connectingterminal is situated inside the first tube part for detachablyconnecting to the outside wiring harness connector, while another partof the first connecting terminal is exposed to the outside of the firsttube part; a second connecting terminal penetrating through a bottom ofthe second tube part, the second connecting terminal being mounted sothat a part of the second connecting terminal is situated inside thesecond tube part for directly contacting the circuit board, whileanother part of the second connecting terminal is exposed to the outsideof the second tube part, the circuit board being detachably connected tothe second connecting terminal.
 2. The connector module according toclaim 1, wherein the part of the second connecting terminal, which partis situated inside the second tube part, is a resilient contact.
 3. Theconnector module according to claim 1 further comprising a cover forclosing an opening of the second tube part.
 4. A meter comprising: adial module including a sheet-shaped dial having a design part on afront surface of the dial, a sheet-shaped light source fixed to a backsurface of the dial for illuminating the design part, and a flexibleprinted circuit fixed to a back surface of the light source, a connectormodule having, a housing including first and second tube parts; a firstconnecting terminal penetrating through a bottom of the first tube partfor connecting to the outside connector inside the first tube part, thefirst connecting terminal being mounted so that a part of the firstconnecting terminal is situated inside the first tube part while anotherpart of the first connecting terminal is exposed to the outside of thefirst tube part; a second connecting terminal penetrating through abottom of the second tube part, the second connecting terminal beingmounted so that a part of the second connecting terminal is situatedinside the second tube part for directly contacting a circuit board,while another part of the second connecting terminal is exposed to theoutside of the second tube part; a circuit board received in the secondtube part, the circuit board being detachably connected to the secondconnecting terminal, in which each of the other parts of the first andsecond connecting terminals exposed to the outside of the tube part isconnected to the flexible printed circuit of the dial module; a frameboard arranged in front of the dial of the dial module; a front glassarranged in front of the frame board; and a casing arranged in the rearof the dial module for fixing the dial module between the frame boardand the casing.